After a 11 days of uncertainty, it’s been confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will drop their royal titles, and withdraw even further from their current lives as senior royals than first thought. 

Harry and Meghan’s initial shock announcement, made little more than a week ago, originally suggested that they wanted to remain as working royals – although not prominent members – and become financially independent. 

But almost as soon as the statement was released, royal experts and commentators pointed out that the dual approach may in fact be fraught with difficulties. 

Earning money from lucrative contracts and still remaining active members of the monarchy would have been problematic due to a potential conflict of interest, especially as they are now free to strike whatever commercial deals they wish.

Rumours of future work have already been circulated – including a potential project for Meghan with Disney.

Despite their newfound freedom from royal protocol however, they have maintained they will “continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.” 

The couple will continue to be referred to as the Sussexes – Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex – but will no longer be referred to as His or Her Royal Highness, as they are no longer working royals. 

Harry and Meghan said in their statement, issued on their behalf by Buckingham Palace, that under the agreement they understood they were “required” to step back from royal duties.

BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph told BBC Radio 5 Live: “When they first issued that statement about what they wanted, they talked about forging this progressive role within the royal family, about stepping back from royal duties.

“This isn’t stepping back, it’s stepping away entirely.”

The deal is a hard “Megixt” for the couple – as the issue has been dubbed by the media – and a source told PA news agency “you can’t be half in and half out”.

What are the couple giving up?

Harry will have to give up his Commonwealth role and three military appointments – the most prominent of which is being captain general of the Royal Marines

But after a blessing from the Queen to do so, the duke will continue to work with his charities and organisations like Sentebale – his Africa-based charity supporting youngsters with HIV – and the duchess will also continue supporting her charitable causes. 

It has been announced that the couple will no longer receive public funds, and will repay the £2.4m spent on refurbishing their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage. 

All the new arrangements are due to come into effect in the spring, and will be reviewed by Buckingham Palace in 12 months.

The announcement marks the conclusion of talks about their future with senior members of the family and royal aides, which Saturday’s statement from Buckingham Palace confirmed had been ongoing for “months”.

What has the Queen said?

The Queen issued an emotional statement on Saturday evening, saying she recognised the “challenges” they had faced over the past year, and added: “I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.

“It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”

The couple’s spokesperson issued a statement on their behalf saying: “As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from royal duties, including official military appointments.

“They will no longer receive public funds for royal duties.

“With the Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations.

“While they can no longer formally represent the Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.”

The Queen’s statement included a personal tribute to the Sussexes with the monarch unusually using the first names of her grandson and his family in a public message.

She said: “Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family.

“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.

“I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.

“I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.”

What happens now?

Meghan and Harry have already begun a transition phase of living in Canada and the UK. The duchess is in the Commonwealth country with son Archie where the Sussexes spent six weeks over the festive period.

The move was agreed by the Queen, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge following the Sussexes unprecedented statement released earlier this month saying they wanted to step back as senior royals, become financially independent and live in the UK and North America.

It is understood the couple will now spend the majority of their time in Canada, with Harry expected to join his wife sometime this week.